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Post 24 Sep 2018, 11:02 • #1 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/05/14
Posts: 438
Location: US-OK
A friend is wanting to buy his first fly rod. Mostly warmwater fishing, farm pond bass and bluegills...

Which Eagle Claw would be the pick?

I have handled none of them but I am thinking they would be a great fiest rod.

TIA

Mike


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Post 24 Sep 2018, 15:35 • #2 
Master Guide
Joined: 12/27/08
Posts: 936
Location: Columbia, Mo. USA
I have a 7' that handles pan fish and small bass quite well----it throws a 5/6 line---I put a 5 wt dt on it and it preforms well. There is also a 8' that is rated for 5/6 I think---I have never cast one of those. Good starter rods for the money.
Gary


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Post 24 Sep 2018, 17:42 • #3 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/12/18
Posts: 457
I have the 6'6" 3/4, the 7' 5/6, and the 8' 5/6.

I fish the 6'6" with a 4wt line, the 7' with a heavy 5wt or 6wt, and the 8' seems like it prefers a 7wt. I think the 7' 5/6 is a good enough choice for a first-timer targeting panfish and some bass. If he is aiming to target bass more than panfish, the 8' with a 7wt line might be a better choice.

At the price those rods sell for, he can hardly go wrong.

Tight lines,
Bob


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Post 24 Sep 2018, 22:54 • #4 
Sport
Joined: 07/25/18
Posts: 73
Location: South central IL
I agree, the ECs do make good first rods. I have a 6’6” my son uses it with a five weight line. I also have the 8’ that I like with a 7 weight as well.


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Post 25 Sep 2018, 02:11 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/06/15
Posts: 1249
Location: Central Oregon
Like Bob, I have all three. Bob’s description and advice is spot-on.

These are great rods. There is nothing weird or inadequate about them, they work well and cost practically nothing in fly fishing terms.


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Post 25 Sep 2018, 09:24 • #6 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/04/15
Posts: 631
Location: US-FL
I'm gonna agree with Bob. I'd opt for the 7' 5/6.


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Post 25 Sep 2018, 09:34 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
I would ask him to decide based on the length, seven or eight feet, he feels most comfortable with. The question is more than which is most suitable for the fishing he has planned, but also which is more comfortable to learn with. The answer to which is suitable is either one. As to learning, the longer rod offers more potential. Often a beginner will feel more comfortable with a shorter rod, especially if accustomed to baitcasting or spinning. But with the least basic practice, it won't be long before a longer rod either feels more comfortable or is wanted. So I would give a slight edge to the eight footer. A smooth, progressive pick-up, good high backcast, and on-the-water line management are among the skills that will soon be easier with the longer rod.


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Post 25 Sep 2018, 09:47 • #8 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/05/14
Posts: 438
Location: US-OK
Thanks guys, good to hear from folks that have actually used them. I had him using my 7 1/2 parametric and he was digging it.


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Post 25 Sep 2018, 10:11 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 01/26/07
Posts: 1385
Location: Ada, Oklahoma
Well, in that case Mike just give him your parametric. Problem solved. ;) See you on the river Friday if we don't get rained out.

Larry


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Post 25 Sep 2018, 13:14 • #10 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/06/17
Posts: 2498
Location: South of Joplin
I think it much easier to learn to cast with a heavier line and would pick the 8' for that reason as well as those mentioned by Whrlpool.
It's nice to see reports that Eagle Claw has some usable rods now, I bought one 6wt around '90 that is almost useless.


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Post 25 Sep 2018, 13:34 • #11 
Sport
Joined: 02/19/15
Posts: 74
Location: US-IL
$25 for prime members, shipped!


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Post 25 Sep 2018, 13:59 • #12 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/05/14
Posts: 438
Location: US-OK
Larry, I was catching a few this last weekend, just goofing at the campsite. The bite is still on. Water looked good when we left.


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Post 26 Sep 2018, 07:00 • #13 
Sport
Joined: 05/15/18
Posts: 71
Location: Southern Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
I have the 6'6" 3/4. The first line I tried on it was WF4F Rio Gold and it was ok but I felt like I could find something better. It currently has a Rio Mainstream DT4F on it which I liked a lot more. Some reviews I've read have claimed the rod is mismarked as a 3/4 and throws best with a 5wt line but the DT4 felt good to me, and that's probably all just a matter of personal opinion. I don't think this rod would be a good choice for throwing larger bass offerings but it'll definitely do fine throwing small poppers for panfish and smaller bass.


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Post 28 Sep 2018, 16:32 • #14 
Master Guide
Joined: 10/07/11
Posts: 692
Location: SE MA
I have all three EC rods and would suggest the 8 footer. It is marked as a 5/6 and I have generally used 6 or 7 weight. However, the last time I fished it, I fished all day with an Orvis Wonderline, without realizing it was a 5 weight. It fished fine. Caught a couple dozen crappie and a nice pickerel.


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